Is CMJ Happening This Year? Probably Not

Every fall for the past three-and-a-half decades, the CMJ Music Marathon has spread out across New York City venues. This year, though, the status of the event, which brings together bands, college radio stations, and other industry representatives for several days of performances and panels, is unclear. As the annual time for CMJ’s lineup announcement approaches, several industry sources tell Pitchfork that it isn’t taking place at all in 2016. The CMJ website also hasn’t been updated in months.

However, in reply to a question from Pitchfork, CMJ CEO Adam Klein said, “CMJ will absolutely happen this year.”

Multiple booking agents told Pitchfork that none of their acts are scheduled for CMJ this year. One, David Galea of United Talent Agency, said it’s “100% not happening this year,” though he wasn’t sure about 2017. (Stereogum also reported on Sunday that CMJ 2016 wouldn’t occur, citing booking agents, local concert promoters, and longtime CMJ partners.)

A rep for Dream Downtown, the hotel that hosted CMJ last year, told Pitchfork, “As of right now, we have no agreement with CMJ to take place at our property for 2016.”

The CMJ publication and social media presence have been dormant since June.

CMJ, which launched in 1978 as a college-radio trade magazine, changed ownership in recent years and has been fighting a nearly $1 million lawsuit. As Billboard reports, the lawsuit could be headed to trial as early as this year.

Meanwhile, the former organizers behind CMJ have announced their own music festival and business summit, Mondo.NYC, which will be held from September 14-18 and hosted in the Marathon’s former digs at New York University. Also like CMJ, Mondo.NYC features live music events at venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.